Overview trait information

Author

Stefan Kunz

Published

July 12, 2022

Number of taxa with complete trait information

Table shows the number of taxa with complete trait profiles (N compl.), the total number of taxa per region and type (Total N by type), and the total number of taxa per region (Total N). In column N compl., aggregated trait information (for taxa on family level) and assigned trait information is considered (genus level traits to species). Only taxa on family level and higher taxonomic resolution are considered. Grouping features and traits used are: feeding mode, locomotion, respiration, sensitivity to organic pollutants, size, and voltinism. Trait databases used: Vieira et al. (2006) and Twardochleb et al. (2020).

Twardochleb, L., Hiltner, E., Pyne, M., & Zarnetske, P. (2021). Freshwater insects CONUS: A database of freshwater insect occurrences and traits for the contiguous United States. Global Ecology and Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13257 .Vieira, N. K. M., Poff, N. L., Carlisle, D. M., II, S. R. M., Koski, M. L., & Kondratieff, B. C. (2006). A Database of Lotic Invertebrate Traits for North America. 19.
Region Type N compl. Total N by type Total N
California insect 173 215 262
California non_insect 17 47 262
Midwest insect 187 230 295
Midwest non_insect 22 65 295
Northeast insect 179 236 288
Northeast non_insect 18 52 288
PN insect 153 201 248
PN non_insect 16 47 248
Southeast insect 167 231 273
Southeast non_insect 16 42 273

Available trait information

Percentage of taxa that possess information for the different grouping features. Only taxa on family level and higher taxonomic resolution are considered. Abbreviations: Feed - Feeding mode, Locom - Locomotion, Resp - Respiration, Volt - Voltinism, Sens - Sensitivity to organic pollutants (including Pesticides) according to von der Ohe & Liess 2004.

Region type Feed % Locom % Resp % Sens % Size % Volt %
California insect 94 93 94 83 94 94
California non_insect 64 60 66 45 62 43
Midwest insect 95 94 93 87 93 92
Midwest non_insect 68 65 75 54 65 49
Northeast insect 98 96 97 79 97 96
Northeast non_insect 62 58 65 56 60 44
PN insect 97 97 96 80 97 97
PN non_insect 64 60 66 47 64 43
Southeast insect 97 95 96 77 94 95
Southeast non_insect 62 62 71 60 62 50

Organic sensitivity values are based on the LC50 values obtained laboratory tests with an exposure of 24 to 48 hours. The sensitivity is calculated as following:

\(S = \frac{log(LC50_{D.magna})}{LC50_i}\)

where \(S =\) relative sensitivity; \(LC50_{D.magna} =\) experimental LC50 for Daphnia magna; and \(LC50_i =\) experimental LC50 for a species i. Thus, the organic sensitivity values are standardized based on the toxicological sensitivity of Daphnia magna, i.e. Less sensitive than Daphnia magna < 0 < more sensitive than Daphnia magna. Further information can be found in the publication.

von der Ohe, P. C., & Liess, M. (2004). Relative sensitivity distribution of aquatic invertebrates to organic and metal compounds. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23(1), 150–156. https://doi.org/10.1897/02-577

Total abundance and trait information

It seems there is for most of the most abundant aquatic insect taxa trait information available. Exceptions are for example Odonata, for which for most taxa only have incomplete trait information. For non-insects trait information is often scarce.

Plots completeness per order

Aquatic insects

Left Plot shows the total abundance of aquatic insects across sites and an indication if taxa contain complete trait information. On the right side the percentage of taxa with complete trait profiles within a given order is displayed. When orders that are not displayed on the right side than no taxon within that order had a complete trait profile. Considered are only taxa on species, genus, and family level.

Aquatic non-insects

Left Plot shows the total abundance of aquatic insects across sites and an indication if taxa contain complete trait information. On the right side the percentage of taxa with complete trait profiles within a given order is displayed. When orders that are not displayed on the right side than no taxon within that order had a complete trait profile. Considered are only taxa on species, genus, and family level. Order NA means that currently the order of these taxa is under debate (members belong to Tubellaria, Gastropoda, Arachnida, Collembola, Clitellata, Bivalvila, Nematoda, Bryozoa, Acari, Prosobranchia, Nematomorpha).

Abundant taxa with missing trait information

Taxa with incomplete trait profiles that are highly abundant compared to other taxa in their order. These taxa are in the 75th percentile or above within their order in terms of total abundance across sites.